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10/3/12
10:57 AM
Page 7
Opening oughts Maayan Jaffe
OK, brace yourselves. My inner hippie is about to unleash. It’s not a great secret, but behind the business suits, high heels and best practices lays a free spirit. On the weekends, I wear Birkenstocks (well, really they are the Israeli version, Naots). I listen to Bob Marley. And whenever I visit e Pearlstone Center, I bubble over with a connection to the universe and nature and all things primal. It’s true. I can’t help myself. As I drive up the narrow windy roads, breathe in the fresh air, look out at the orchards and the rows of veggies in the farm, I want to garden. I want to meditate. I want to put on a flowered, flowing skirt, listen to Shlomo Carlebach and dance. I am on fire because of the amazing beauty of God’s creations all around me. It’s not just a retreat center or a farm; it really is a spiritual place. Pearlstone, for me, is a place for selfreflection. The grounds make me feel rejuvenated. It’s magical. And every single time I drive out of Pearlstone, I leave with a gigantic smile on my face. I had this same experience when I went to interview Pearlstone’s new executive director for this week’s cover story. He’s a pretty granola guy, Jakir Manela; he planted his wife’s placenta under a peach tree. But aer only a few months at the helm, he’s showing tremendous promise. Jakir, it seems, can make astute hiring decisions, can think like a marketer and fundraiser — strategically — and can handle the politics of nonprofit management. He’s planting the seeds for another successful decade in Reisterstown. Our community is very fortunate to have e Pearlstone Center. Where else can you say a blessing over food that you planted and harvested — or that was planted and harvested by someone like you? Where else in Jewish
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Baltimore — in America — do you have the opportunity to as fully integrate your physical, social, spiritual, Jewish and ecological selves?
Where else can you say a blessing over food that you planted and harvested? No where … except for on Sukkot. e holiday of Sukkot is almost over. Sukkot is a time when we — quite literally —immerse ourselves in nature; the sukkah helps us appreciate the beauties of nature that God created. e holiday serves as a refreshing deviation from our predisposition to materialism by emphasizing the importance of nature and subservience to God, as well as compassion and hospitality. Sukkot is a great teaching holiday. While enjoying a meal with my children this Sukkot, I asked them what surprised them during their time spent outside — any new realizations about nature? What did they learn to appreciate? After they each gave their answers, my son asked me to answer the question, too. “You know what Sukkot teaches me,” I said to Shlomo. “It teaches me to appreciate you.” On Sukkot, outside, with no electricity, no telephone, computer or other distractions, I can be relaxed with my family, alone with the people I care most about, at one with them and with God. This is an incredible — imperative — feeling. But alas, in a few more days we’ll all go back inside. It will be a whole year until the next Sukkot. In the meantime, I guess I’ll visit Pearlstone … JT Maayan Jaffe is JT managing editor mjaffe@jewishtimes.com
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